"Why did you drink so much?"
Noticing that his wife had also finished the wine in the glass, Duan Hai said somewhat dissatisfiedly that he rarely let his wife drink because he was a little incompetent. There were also some rumors outside that Princess Yongping was really at a loss after marrying Duan Hai.
So whether at home or outside, Duan Hai was somewhat suspicious of his wife. Now, seeing the handsome Li Xiang in the distance, Duan Hai knew that he could not compare to him. Could it be that his wife had other ideas?
"My slave..."
"Brother Duan, I heard that your family also runs a cloth business. Coincidentally, I have some silk shops in Chang'an City. If you're interested in collaborating, why not have the managers below discuss it? There's always profit to be made between our two places."
Li Xiang had just been drinking with Duan Hai's cousin, so he knew that Duan Hai's family also had this business. In the territory of the Tang Dynasty, Li Xiang's business was almost all opening a store. Although silk and satin clothing was not Li Xiang's strong point, if he wanted to take care of Duan Hai, there would be no problem at all.
Princess Yongping saw very clearly that Li Xiang did not mention it casually, but Li Xiang's eyes swept over here just now and saw the embarrassment on her face, so he brought up this matter on purpose, which could be regarded as helping her out of the predicament. Princess Yongping kept this in mind.
If it was true, Duan Hai was about to scold his wife in public again, but after hearing Li Xiang's words, Duan Hai was immediately attracted to Li Xiang.
Duan Hai lives a pretty good life, of course, that's only what outsiders see. If you want to talk about the situation at home, it can't be said that they can't make ends meet, that's also like robbing Peter to pay Paul. It turns out that your family has that power, so the business that makes money must be big. As long as Duan Hai says a word, there will be many people willing to give money.
But now, apart from the position of the Chief Justice, Duan Hai's family has no say in other areas, so there are fewer ways to make money. Silk and satin packaging costs a lot of money, but the profit is also high. If they can connect with Li Xiang, the annual income will be no small amount.
"Thank you so much, Your Highness. I've been supporting a bunch of freeloaders at home, and now I have a wife and children, but I still can't bring in any income. Instead, this gives me a headache every day. Your Highness, you're able to lend a hand, which is really a great help to me."
Duan Hai was telling the truth, but it was a truth that was meant to offend. His cousins immediately expressed dissatisfaction after hearing his words. "Is it us who are at fault? Were you talented when you were young? It's because the elders in your family were able to hold on that you have everything you have now."
There was a problem with the transfer of family power. Don't you, Duan Hai, have any responsibility? If you had any sense, would our Duan family have fallen to this point?
"What nonsense are you talking about? My brothers are all studying, and each of them is a dragon among men. They just lack some opportunities. They will definitely be able to manage the family in the future."
Princess Yongping realized that Duan Hai had said something wrong and quickly helped Duan Hai to make amends. Only then did the people below look a little better. Since Princess Yongping married in, the situation of the Duan family has improved slightly, but it was also Princess Yongping's credit, and no one put the credit on Duan Hai.
"Men are talking, women shouldn't interrupt. They can't even draw a bow. Our Duan family is famous for its martial arts, and they have no shame."
Duan Hai said very dissatisfiedly. In his opinion, his younger brothers had no future, which had nothing to do with him. It was purely because you guys didn't make any progress. When you were young, you only knew how to eat, drink and have fun every day. Now that you're adults, you don't have any skills. How could he make arrangements for you?
Li Xiang could also see that Duan Hai was a straightforward person. He believed that officials in the court got their positions based on their own abilities. For example, he got his own position after a series of tests. However, in a country like Nanzhao, all tests depend on your background. If your father was not a general, how could you pass the test? There are many people who are more capable than you.
His younger brothers all understood this truth, but Duan Hai was the only one who didn't. Or maybe he understood it but was unwilling to admit it. So whether in front of others or at home, whenever Duan Hai mentioned his younger brothers, he would belittle them and say that they were worthless.
"May I ask, brother, could you possibly draw a bow when you were sixteen? I remember it very clearly. When you went to the Ministry of War for the test, I happened to be lucky enough to go with you, but I couldn't draw it either. It took me two months before I finally learned. I had one more chance than the others. Were the people chosen then worse than you? But why didn't they get your position? I don't think it's because you're any better than others, but because my father was a general at the time. Over a decade has passed. Have you ever achieved our father's position?"
Duan Hai's eldest brother immediately became restless. Duan Hai was really going too far. These brothers were all talented people in recent years, at least they were capable compared to people in other big families, but because Duan Hai could not protect them from the outside, their future was blocked.
Normally, when Duan Hai spoke, his younger brothers wouldn't dare argue with him. But today, with Li Xiang here, everyone in the royal city knew that Li Xiang represented a smooth path forward. If they showed off in front of Li Xiang, and if he took a liking to them, what kind of position would they not be able to secure in the future? This was someone from the Celestial Empire.
"Second brother is right. Although we are not as capable as you, we are all ranked at the top in the academy. Those who are not as good as us are now studying and serving in various government offices, but we don't even have such an opportunity. But you, brother, just think that it is because we are not capable enough. Our current academic achievements are not even comparable to what you have achieved when you were his age."
Once one person started, the rest immediately understood what was going on. They also wanted to show off in front of Li Xiang, not to mention that these people were quite knowledgeable.
But what they lacked was an opportunity. Opportunities in a large family don't just come. When your patriarch is incompetent, do you think this opportunity will fall on your head out of thin air? Why did Xiao Yu serve as Li Xiang's pawn? It was for the sake of those family members.
